( ) is a multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop. Today, Pioneer is well-known for technology advancements in the consumer electronics industry.

Pioneer played a role in the development of interactive cable TV, the Laser Disc player, the first automotive Compact Disc player, the first detachable face car stereo, Supertuner technology, DVD and DVD recording, plasma display, and Organic LED display (OLED). The company works with optical disc and display technology and software products and is also a manufacturer. Sharp Corporation took a 14% stake in Pioneer in 2007 .

On February 12, 2009, Pioneer announced it plans to cease manufacture of television sets by March 2010. On June 25, 2009, Sharp Corporation agreed to form a joint venture on their optical business to be called "Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing Corporation".

History

• 1937 Pioneer’s founder, Nozomu Matsumoto develops the A-8 dynamic speaker.
• 1938 Jan. Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho (precursor of Pioneer) is founded in Tokyo.
• 1947 May Fukuin Denki is incorporated.
• 1953 Dec. Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8 introduced.
• 1961 Jun. Company name changed to Pioneer Electronic Corporation (now Pioneer Corporation).
• 1961 Oct. Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section.
• 1962 Jun. Introduces the world’s first separate stereo system.
• 1966 Mar. Establishes sales companies in Europe and the U.S.
• 1968 Feb. Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section.
• 1968 Apr. Shares are listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange.
• 1969 Feb. Shares are listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (now Euronext Amsterdam). U.S. GAAP consolidated financial reporting starts
• 1975 Nov. Introduces the world’s first component car stereo.
• 1976 Hi-Fi Speaker HPM-100 introduced.
• 1976 Dec. Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
• 1977 Dec. Introduces the world’s first two-way addressable CATV system in the U.S. (with Warner Cable).
• 1978 Introduces SX-1980 receiver, Pioneer's most powerful receiver manufactured to date.
• 1979 Feb. Introduces the industry-use Laserdisc player.
• 1980 Jun. Introduces VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S.
• 1981 Oct. Introduces LD player for home use and 70 LD software titles in Japan.
• 1982 Oct. Introduces the LD Karaoke system for business use.
• 1982 Nov. Introduces CD player.
• 1984 Sep. Introduces the world’s first LD combination player compatible with CDs and LDs.
• 1984 Oct. Releases the world’s first car CD player.
• 1985 Dec. Introduces the 40-inch projection monitor.
• 1990 Jun. Introduces the world’s first CD-based GPS automotive navigation system.
• 1992 Oct. Introduces the world’s first 4x CD-ROM changer.
• 1996 Jun. Tokorozawa Plant earns ISO 14001 certification.
• 1996 Dec. Introduces DVD/CD player and the world’s first DVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use.
• 1997 May Starts supplying digital satellite broadcast set-top boxes in Europe.
• 1997 Jun. Introduces the world’s first DVD-based GPS automotive navigation system.
• 1997 Oct. Introduces the world’s first DVD-R drive.
• 1997 Nov. Introduces the world’s first OEL-equipped car audio product.
• 1997 Dec. Introduces the world’s first high definition 50-inch plasma display for consumer use.
• 1998 Jun. Introduces the world’s first DVD-based GPS automotive navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD disc.
• 1998 Oct. Introduces new corporate logo.
• 1999 Apr. Starts supplying digital CATV set-top boxes in the U.S.
• 1999 Dec. Introduces the world’s first DVD recorder compatible with the DVD-RW format.
• 2000 Mar. Shares of Tohoku Pioneer are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section.
• 2001 Jun. Introduces hard disk-based GPS automotive navigation system.
• 2001 Jul. Introduces the global brand slogan “sound.vision.soul”.
• 2002 Nov. Introduces GPS automotive navigation system with a wireless communication module.
• 2002 Nov. Introduces a DVD recorder with hard disk.
• 2003 Mar. Introduces in the U.S. digital CATV settop boxes with high definition TV signal reception capability.
• 2003 Sep. Total shipment worldwide of PC-use recordable DVD drives surpasses 5 million units.
• 2004 Jul. Introduces the world's first DVD player for professional DJs and VJs.
• 2004 Sep. Transfer of NEC’s plasma display business is completed. Pioneer Plasma Display Corporation (previously NEC Plasma Display Corporation) starts operation on October 1, 2004.
• 2006 Jan. President Kaneo Ito and Chairman Kanya Matsumoto, son of the company's founder, leave their posts to take responsibility for the recent poor performance of the maker of DVD recorders and plasma TVs. Vice President Tamihiko Sudo was appointed new president, effective from January 1 by the board of directors.
• 2006 Dec. Pioneer closed its car audio division in Singapore.
• 2007 Jan. Pioneer displayed their 9mm thick concept plasma [82843], as well as their "extreme contrast" concept plasma [82844].
• 2008 Jul 7. Pioneer develops 16 layer Blu-ray Disc capable of storing 400 GB.[82845]

Brands

• Pioneer — home and car electronics
• Pioneer Elite produces electronics that are usually higher in price and quality. Most Pioneer Elite branded electronics have the gloss black "Urushi" finish.

Pioneer Elite products include AVRs, Laserdisc players, CD players, DVD players, plasma computer monitors and televisions [Now discontinued], and rear-projection televisions. Pioneer Elite debuted their first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-HD1, in January of 2007. Pioneer released the first 1080p plasma display, the PRO-FHD1.

In Summer of 2007, Pioneer released the Kuro line of plasma displays, that the company claims has the best black levels of any flat panel display which leads to greater contrast, and more realistic images . Kuro means black in Japanese.

• Carrozzeria (Japan only) — car electronics
• Pioneer Premier (North America only) — high-end car electronics
• TAD — high-end speakers
• Pioneer PRO DJ — DJ equipment

See also

• Car audio
• CDJ
• Automotive navigation system
• List of Japanese companies
• Geneon (formerly Pioneer LDC, the multimedia production arm of Pioneer Corporation)
• DVJ-X1

References

• Pioneer HPM-100, Advertisement. 1976: 1-4.
• 40-inch Projection Monitor has been seen in Switzerland on second hand sale.

External links

• Pioneer Corporation (Japan)
• Pioneer Europe N.V. (Regional Headquarters)
• Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
• Pioneer Corporation (Australia)
• Pioneer Latin America S.A.
• Pioneer Israel
• Pioneer Exhibit at The High Fidelity Museum
• Pioneer Component Database
• Pioneer Cassette Decks
• Pioneer. All about brand in Russia